For immediate release
Nov. 20, 2019
NDP calls for immediate stop-work order on Ragged Beach excavation
NDP environment critic Jim Dinn is calling for an immediate stop-work order on the excavation planned for Ragged Beach in Witless Bay this Thursday.
“We are being inundated with phone calls from people who are extremely concerned that this excavation will wreck the beach and its surroundings. We’re hearing that there is going to be a five metre high wall and that the development will encroach on the 15 metre shoreline buffer zone specified in the Lands Act,” said Dinn.
“We are calling on government to use its legislative powers to put a pause on tomorrow’s excavation until this situation can be clarified and resolved,” Dinn said.
Dinn says Ragged Beach is crucial to the East Coast Trail and to seabirds from the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. He says there should be immediate dialogue with concerned stakeholders.
“Government must do the right thing and use its powers to help resolve this long-standing matter before someone gets hurt,” said Dinn.
“In addition, we call on government to start the process to permanently protect Ragged Beach and the East Coast Trail through legislation,” Dinn added.
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For further information, contact Zaren Healey White, Director of Communications, NDP Caucus at 729-2137 (o), 693-9172 (c), or zarenhealeywhite@gov.nl.ca.